Eliminate Facet Joint Syndrome Pain with Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Facet Joint Syndrome is a common diagnosis for back, mid-back and neck pain. The facet is a joint that lies between each of the vertebra. An injury or a degenerative condition, such as arthritis can cause damage to the facet joints. If this occurs, the joint cartilage deteriorates, friction between the bones leads to the tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and pain. The muscles will also work harder to protect the injured area, becoming very tense and stiff.
Symptoms of Facet Syndrome:
- Pain that is often worse in the beginning and end of the day, or with a change in weather
- Lower back pain that is primarily at the waist level
- Neck pain that radiates into the shoulders, or head
- Headaches at the base of the skull, aching behind the eyes, and/or ringing in the ears
- The sound of bone rubbing on bone when you move
- Abnormal curvature in the spine
- Increase in pain when first standing, when sitting for long periods of time, or when bending or twisting
Traditional Treatment Options:
- Physical therapy is one treatment plan that may improve some strength, mobility and range of motion.
- Cortisone may be helpful in reducing inflammation around the facet joint; however, these treatments may not return the patient to the desired flexibility and comfort level. This is where regenerative treatments are particularly effective in actually helping the facet joint to heal, instead of reducing the symptoms. These treatments actually help to restore the strength to the neck or back.
Regenerative Medicine Treatment Options:
- Prolotherapy contains a solution of concentrated dextrose and local anesthetic (steroids are not used). This solution stimulates the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissue, encouraging new growth and creating a positive environment into which the stem cells are placed.
- Platelet Rich Plasma therapy uses platelets to initiate tissue repair by releasing growth factors. These growth factors start the healing process by attracting cells that repair. Platelet Rich Plasma therapy intensifies this process by delivering a higher concentration of platelets to the affected area. The therapy involves a small sample of the patient’s blood placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood components. The concentrated PRP is then injected into and around the point of injury, significantly strengthening the body’s natural healing.
Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma treatments make it possible to restore the facet joint back to normal function. The muscles around the joint will begin to relax as a result, and the patient can return to the normal range of motion and flexibility experienced before the onset of Facet Joint Syndrome.
If you want to know if you have Facet Joint Syndrome, or if you want to know how these techniques can specifically help you, call our office: (855) 684-3740
